Report: Mike Woodson Wants Carmelo Anthony to Get in Better Shape

The Knicks’ season is just about over, which means, believe it or not, it’s almost time to start looking ahead to next season—and, according to the NY Post, New York’s head coach is already doing so: “With Carmelo Anthony facing his eighth first-round playoff exit in nine seasons Sunday, Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson issued a challenge to the star forward to come back in better shape next season. According to a person familiar with the situation, Woodson would like Anthony to shed some weight before training camp. Anthony, who has been outclassed by the Heat’s LeBron James in this first-round disaster, has the worst NBA playoff winning percentage, .308 (a record of 16-36), for any player who has been in at least 50 games. ‘Expectations aren’t going to change in New York, you know that,’ Woodson said. ‘They shouldn’t. Rightfully so. Anthony’s going to have to raise his game. He’s got to do things this summer to better his game — as well as Tyson [Chandler] and Amar’e [Stoudemire]. If I’m the head coach here, I have to make sure it happens. It’s the only way to get out of the rut in terms of him being a first-round exit. He’s got to change that.’ With the Knicks trailing the Heat 3-0, Anthony is shooting 34.4 percent in the series (22 of 64). He is 1 of 9 from 3-point range. In seven playoff games as a Knick, all defeats, he is shooting 36.2 percent.”